US20150104751A1

US20150104751A1 - Gas stove with flame detection

Info

Publication number: US20150104751A1
Application number: US14/106,725
Authority: US
Inventors: Chun-Wei Lin; Te-Chung Chen
Original assignee: Lite On Technology Corp
Current assignee: Lite On Technology Corp
Priority date: 2013-10-16
Filing date: 2013-12-14
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: CN104566516B; CN104566516A

Abstract

A gas stove with flame detection comprises a switch module, a flame detection module and a processing module. The switch module generates an ignition signal when a gas stove flame is lit. The flame detection module generates a first light wave signal when the flame detection module detects light wave having wavelengths of about 400 nm to 500 nm, and the flame detection module generates an second light wave signal when the flame detection module detects light wave having wavelengths of about 600 nm to 780 nm. The processing module turns on an air drafting device and an alarm device when the processing module receives the first light wave signal and the second light wave signal at the same time or only receives the second light wave signal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The instant disclosure relates to a gas stove; in particular, to a gas stove capable of detecting the combustion state of gas stove flames.
2. Description of Related Art
The most frequently occurred accidents using a gas stove are carbon monoxide poisoning and methane gas explosion due to leakage. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs due to the environment not being well ventilated and the lack of oxygen which lead to incomplete combustion. Thus, poisonous carbon monoxide gas is generated that is easily inhaled without notice, and results in poisoning In terms of gas explosion, it is often caused by an undetected and snuffed-out gas stove flame while the gas supply remains open, all of which leads to gas leakage and successively explosion.
Typically, the conventional method to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and gas explosion is to apply a carbon monoxide detector or methane gas detector for detecting the concentration of carbon monoxide or methane within the environment thereof. When the detected concentration exceeds the preset concentration limit, warning signals are emitted or gas supply valves are turned off. However, in order to prevent erring in detection, the conventional detectors are actually able to detect and emit warning signals only after a certain amount of methane or carbon monoxide gas has been accumulated in a poorly ventilated environment. Moreover, many detectors nowadays are only connected to the gas supply switch. The gas supply switch is turned off at the same time the warning signals are emitted. In other words, the conventional arts detectors do not effectively provide preventive measures for carbon monoxide poisoning and gas explosion. Since by the time the detectors emit warning signals, the poorly ventilated enclosure has already accumulated a substantial amount of poisoning or explosive gas, which is imminently dangerous.
To address the above issues, the inventor strives via associated experience and research to present the instant disclosure, which can effectively improve the limitation described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the instant disclosure is to provide a gas stove that improves upon convention arts, which use preventive measures such as a carbon monoxide or methane gas detector in an attempt to effectively extract poisonous carbon monoxide or methane gas from an enclosed and poorly ventilated environment
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure, a gas stove with flame detection is provided. The gas stove with flame detection includes a switch module, a flame detecting module, and a processing module. The switch module generates an ignition signal to ignite a fuel from a gas stove. The flame detecting module is used for detecting combustion state of the gas stove flame and includes a visible light detecting unit. The visible light detecting unit generates a first light wave signal and a second light wave signal at wavelengths ranging from 450 nm to 500 nm and from 600 nm to 780 nm respectively. The processing module is electrically connected to the switch module and the flame detecting module. When the processing module receives the ignition signal, the processing module controls the flame detecting module to detect for the gas stove flame, and when the processing module receives both the first light wave signal and the second light wave signal or only the second light wave signal, the processing module activates the air drafting device and the alarm device.
The instant disclosure provides a gas stove with flame detection which can instantly determine whether a flame is present or has been extinguished completely via the detection of the gas stove flame's combustion state, and successively turns on the ventilation device to extract carbon monoxide or methane gas from the gas-filled environment while activating the warning device to alarm users. As a result, preventing accidents such as carbon monoxide poisoning and gas explosion.
Preferably, when the processing module controls the flame detecting module to detect for gas stove flame, and when the processing module receives both the first light wave signal and the second light wave signal or only the second light wave signal or has not yet received the first and the second light wave signals, the processing module shuts off a gas supply value or adjusts a gas stove gate or adjusts an air gate of the gas stove to completely extinguish the flame.
Preferably, when the processing module controls the flame detecting module to detect the gas stove flame, and when the processing module has not yet received the first light wave signal and the second light wave signal, the processing module activates the air drafting device and the alarm device such that carbon monoxide or methane gas are immediately extracted from the gas-filled environment while promptly providing warning signals to users.
Preferably, the flame detecting module includes at least one infrared detecting unit or at least one ultraviolent detecting unit. The infrared detecting unit generates a third light wave signal at wavelengths ranging from 2500 nm to 3000 nm and whereas the ultraviolet detecting unit generates a fourth light wave signal at wavelengths ranging from 185 nm to 260 nm and. When the processing module receives the ignition signal, the processing module controls the flame detecting module to detect for flames. When at least one of the first, the second and the third light wave signals has not yet been received by the processing module, or when at least one of the first light wave signal, the second light wave signal, and the fourth light wave signal has not yet been received by the processing module, the processing module activates the air drafting device and the alarm device and shuts off a gas supply valve in order to instantly determine whether or not the flame has been extinguished. If the flame is extinguished, the gas stove immediately extracts the carbon monoxide and methane gas from the gas-filled environment and warns the users.
Preferably, the alarm device includes at least one speaker and at least one light emitting unit to audibly and visually warn users.
In order to further understand the instant disclosure, the following embodiments and illustrations are provided. However, the detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure, rather than limiting the scope being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas stove with flame detection in accordance with a first embodiment of the instant disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the gas stove with flame detection in accordance with the instant disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a gas stove with flame detection in accordance with a second embodiment of the instant disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a gas stove with flame detection in accordance with a third embodiment of the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The aforementioned illustrations and detailed descriptions are exemplarities for the purpose of further explaining the scope of the instant disclosure. Other objectives and advantages related to the instant disclosure will be illustrated in the subsequent descriptions and appended drawings.

First Embodiment

Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 as schematic diagrams of a gas stove with flame detection in accordance with a first embodiment of the instant disclosure. As shown in figures, the gas stove with flame detection 1 includes a switch module 10, a flame detecting module 20 and a processing module 30. The switch module 10 may include knobs, electronic igniter, and related components arranged on the gas stove exterior. The flame detecting module 20 includes at least one visible light detecting unit 21 which can detect light waves having wavelengths ranging from 600 to 780 nm. Specifically, the visible light detecting unit 21 of the flame detecting module 20 can detect flames with blue color (wavelength ranges from 450 nm to 500 nm), red and yellow color (wavelength ranges from 600 to 780 nm).
When user interacts with the knob of the switch module 10 to switch on the gas stove, the electronic igniter electrically generates flames, and at the same time transmits an ignition signal 101 to the processing module 30. After the processing module 30 receives the ignition signal 101, the process module 30 activates the flame detecting module 20 such that the visible light detecting unit 21 can detect the radiated light waves emitted from the flame ignited by the gas stove. The visible light detecting unit 21 can detect light waves having wavelengths ranging from 450 nm to 500 nm and at the same time transmit a first light wave signal 211 to the processing module 30. When the visible light detecting unit 21 detects light waves having wavelengths ranging from 600 nm to 780 nm, the light detecting unit 21 transmits a second light wave signal 212 to the processing module 30. If the processing module 30 simultaneously receives the first and the second light wave signals 211, 212, or only receives the second light wave signal 212, the processing module 30 accordingly activates an air drafting device 40 for ventilation and may also activates an alarm device 50 having at least one speaker and at least one light emitting unit such that audio or visual warning signals are emitted. In other words, as long as the processing module 30 receives at least the second light wave signal 212, the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50 are activated.
Specifically under normal operations of a gas stove, when natural gas is completely combusted, a blue color (wavelength ranges from 450 nm to 500 nm) emerges from the flames ignited by the gas stove. In contrast, when natural gas is incompletely combusted, a red and yellow color (wavelength ranges from 600 to 780 nm) emerges from the flames ignited by the gas stove, at which time, carbon monoxide is generated. If carbon monoxide is not removed as soon as possible, accident such as carbon monoxide poisoning is imminent. The visible light detecting unit 21 is used for detecting the colors of the flames from the gas stove (detecting radiated light waves having wavelengths ranging from 450 nm to 500 nm and 600 nm to 780 nm) after the gas stove has been activated. If only blue color flames emerge (when the processing module 30 only receives the first light wave signal 211), the flames have been completely combusted, which means normal operation is in place, the processing module 30 will not activate the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50. When red and yellow color flames emerge (when the processing module 30 only receives the second light wave signal 212) or when both the red yellow color and blue color flames emerge (when the processing module 30 receives both the first and second light wave signals 211, 212), the flames have been incompletely combusted, thus carbon monoxide is prone to be produced. At such time, the processing module 30 activates the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50 to immediately vent out the carbon monoxide while emitting audio (ex. beep) and visual (ex. blinking of the light emitting unit) signals via the alarm device 50 to warn users.
The visible light detecting unit 21 of the instant disclosure can detect the combustion state of the flames from the gas stove, and activate the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50 according to the combustion state (complete or incomplete combustion) of the flames, such that carbon monoxide generated from incompletely combusted flames can be immediately removed while warning the user of the condition to effectively prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Many factors may lead to the emersion of the red yellow colored gas stove flames such as problems with air intake adjustments, fluids from food being cooked overflow and spill onto the flames, and poor connection of gas supply. When the processing module 30 is in use, and receives the second light wave signal 212, the air drafting device 40 can be activated and the air gate of the gas stove can first be adjusted while continuously detecting flames via the visible light detecting unit 21. If the processing module 30 has not received the second light wave signal 212 after the adjustment of the air gate in a pre-determined period of time, the process module 30 will not activate the alarm device 50.
If the processing module 30 receives the second light wave signal 212 after the adjustment of the air gate, the process module 30 can detect the quality of the gas supply via the flow meter installed on the gas supply line. If the supply of gas still remains, which can be due to fluids spilled from food being cooked, the processing module 30 can activate the alarm device 50 to emit the corresponding warning audio or visual signals (such as music, tone, human-sounding voice). In addition, the processing module 30 can simultaneously shuts off the gas supply valve of the gas stove in order to prevent gas from further supplying after fluids continue to spill over and put out the flames. If the gas supply is poor, the processing module 30 can shut off the gas supply valve of the gas stove, turns off the air drafting device 40 after a pre-determined period of time, and simultaneously emit the corresponding warning audio or visual signals to warn users of the poor gas supply. Volume of the audio warning signals or flashing speed of the light warning signals from the alarm device 50 may increase as warning time continue to progress. The alarm device 50 may also include a stop push-button for user to stop the warning signals from further emitting. Moreover, if the stop push-button is not pressed after the alarm device 50 has provided the warning signals in a pre-determined period of time, the processing module 30 can shut off the gas supply valve accordingly.
In order words, when the processing module 30 receives the second light wave signal 212, the air drafting device 40 can first be activated while the air gate is being adjusted and the gas supply flowrate is being detected to determine whether the alarm device 50 will emit warning signals and then further determine to emit audio or visual warning signals.

Second Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 3. The gas stove in operation poses not only the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, but also the possibility of leakage which can lead to gas explosion. The gas stove, which provides flame detection, of the instant embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment in that carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented, and in addition accidents such as gas explosion due to gas leakage can be effectively prevented.
When user interacts with the knob of the switch module 10 to activate the gas stove, the electronic igniter electrically generates flames while transmits an ignition signal 101 to the processing module 30. After the processing module 30 receives the ignition signal 101, the process module 30 activates the flame detecting module 20 such that the visible light detecting unit 21 can detect the radiated light waves emitted from the flame ignited by the gas stove. When no light wave signal (first light wave signal 211 or the second light wave signal 212) is detected by the visible light detecting unit 21, the processing module 30 controls accordingly to turn on the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50. For example, the processing module 30 can activate the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50 within a pre-determined period of time and shut off the gas supply valve 60 at the same time.
Specifically, if the first and second light wave signals are not received by the visible light detecting unit 21, flames are not lit. For example, if a flame is not lit or the flame is extinguish due to external factors (gust of wind, fluids overflown or spilled from food being cooked), leakage can become a concern, thus, the processing module 30 activates the air drafting device 40 to remove or extract the leaked gas, activates the alarm device 50 to emit the corresponding audio or visual warning signals in order to warn users, and simultaneously shuts off the gas supply valve to effectively prevent the possibility of gas explosion.
In conjunction with the first embodiments, when the processing module 30 receives the second light wave signal 212 (an indication of flames from the gas stove are incompletely combusted, and carbon monoxide is present), or when no signals are received (an indication of flames from the gas stove are extinguish or are not lit, then gas leakage is possible), the processing module 30 activates accordingly on the air drafting device 40 for air ventilation and controls the alarm device 50 to emit corresponding audio or visual warning signal while shutting off the gas supply valve 60, through which accidents like carbon monoxide poisoning and gas explosion can be prevented.

Third Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 4. The gas stove with flame detection 1 includes a switch module 10, a flame detecting module 20, a processing module 30, an air drafting device 40, and an alarm device 50. The flame detecting module 20 may include a visible light detecting unit 21, an infrared detecting unit 22 or an ultraviolent detecting unit 23. The interaction between the visible light detecting unit 21, the processing module 30, the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50 is similar to that of previous embodiments, and is not further disclosed. The flame detecting module 20 of the instant disclosure further includes the infrared detecting unit 22 which can generate the third light wave signal 221 at wavelengths ranging from 2500 nm to 3000 nm and, and the ultraviolent detecting unit 23 which can generate the fourth light wave signal 231 at wavelengths ranging from 185 nm to 260 nm. With the infrared and ultraviolet detecting units 22, 23, determination of extinguished flames is further expedited. Specifically, the infrared and ultraviolet detecting units 22, 23 detect faster than the visible light detecting unit 21 such that associated preventive measures can be taken immediately based on the determination of extinguished flames.
Notably, after the processing module 30 receives the ignition signal 101, the infrared and ultraviolet detecting units 22, 23 of the flame detecting module 20 can first be activated to determine whether the third light wave signal 221 generated by the infrared detecting unit 22 or the fourth light wave signal 231 generated by the ultraviolet detecting unit 23 is received by the processing module 30 in order to determine whether gas stove flames have been lit. If the gas stove flame has not yet been lit (not yet received the third light wave signal 221 or the fourth light wave signal 231), the process module 30 activate the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50. If the gas stove flame is successfully lit, the process module 30 activates the visible light detecting unit 21 to detect the gas stove flame and determine whether the gas stove flame has been completely combusted. The determination of whether the gas stove flame completely combusted is based on whether the second light wave signal 212 has been received. If the processing module 30 has received the second light wave signal 212, which indicates the gas stove flame is red yellow colored and incompletely combusted, the processing module 30 activates the air drafting device 40 to provide venting and simultaneously activates the alarm device 50 to provide warning. In other words, when the processing module 30 does not receive the first, second, and third light wave signals 211, 212, 221, which indicates the gas stove flame has been extinguished, the processing module 30 accordingly activates the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50, and extracts the leaked gas immediately. Similarly, when the processing module 30 does not receive the first, second, and fourth light wave signals 211, 212, 231, the air drafting device 40 and the alarm device 50 are correspondingly activated.
In another embodiment, after the processing module 30 receives the ignition signal 101, which can simultaneously activate the visible light detecting unit 21 and the infrared detecting unit 22 (or ultraviolet detecting unit 23), if one of the detecting unit malfunctions, another detector is still available for flame detection. In addition, by detecting flames multiple times, the processing module 30 can reduce error in detecting flames.
Since the infrared and ultraviolet detecting units 22, 23 are relatively more sensitive compared to the visible light detecting unit 21, in preferred operations, the visible light detecting unit 21 is used simultaneously and continuously along with the infrared and ultraviolet detecting units 22, 23 during the process of flame detection. For example, when the processing module 30 has received the second light wave signal 212, which indicates the red yellow colored has emerged from the incompletely combusted gas stove flame, and if the gas stove flame is extinguish while the processing module 30 does not immediately receive the third light wave signal 221 or fourth light wave signal 231, the processing module 30 can immediately shut off the gas supply valve, activate the air drafting device 40, and warn users via the emitted audio warning signals from the speaker or visual light warning signals emitted from the light emitting unit of the alarm device 50.
The gas stove with flame detection of the instant disclosure can provide the following improvements. With the visible light detecting unit, the color of the gas stove flame can be detected, and accordingly determine the combustion state of the flame, specifically detecting the combustion state of incompletely combusted flame, then correspondingly activate the air drafting device or the alarm device to immediately extract carbon monoxide generated from the incompletely combusted gas stove flame or the leaked gas from the immediate area while providing users with audio or visual light warning signals to ensure users' safety.
Moreover, in another embodiment, the visible light detecting unit can be combined with the more sensitive infrared or ultraviolet detecting unit to expedite detection and determine the existence of a gas stove flame. As a result, when the gas stove flame is extinguished, associated preventive measures can be activated as soon as possible. In addition, the processing module can provide repeated confirmations via the transmitted signals from the two detecting units to reduce the chances of misjudgment.
The figures and descriptions supra set forth illustrated the preferred embodiments of the instant disclosure; however, the characteristics of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, combinations or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the instant disclosure delineated by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gas stove with flame detection electrically connected to an air drafting device and an alarm device, comprising:

a switch module generating an ignition signal to ignite a fuel from a gas stove, and a gas stove flame generating from the fuel;

a flame detecting module including a visible light detecting unit for detecting combustion state of the gas stove flame to generate a first light wave signal at wavelength ranging from 450 nm to 500 and a second light wave signal at wavelength ranging from 600 nm to 780 nm and,

a processing module electrically connected to the switch module and the flame detecting module, activating the air drafting device and the alarm device when receiving both the first light wave signal and the second light wave signal or only the second light wave signal from the flame detecting module, and receiving the ignition signal from the switch module.

2. The gas stove with flame detection as recited in claim 1, wherein when the flame detecting module is detecting for the gas stove flame, and the processing module receives both the first light wave signal and the second light wave signal or only the second light wave signal, the processing module shuts off a gas supply value or adjusts a gas stove gate.

3. The gas stove with flame detection as recited in claim 1, wherein when the flame detecting module is detecting for the gas stove flame, and the processing module receives the first light wave signal and the second light wave signal, the processing module activates the air drafting device and the alarm device.

4. The gas stove with flame detection as recited in claim 1, wherein when the flame detecting module is detecting the gas stove flame, and the processing module receives the first light wave signal and the second light wave signal, the processing module shuts off a gas supply value or adjusts a gas stove gate.

5. The gas stove with flame detection as recited in claim 1, wherein the flame detecting module includes at least one infrared detecting unit or at least one ultraviolent detecting unit.

6. The gas stove with flame detection as recited in claim 5, wherein the infrared detecting unit generates a third light wave signal at wavelength ranging from 2500 nm to 3000 nm and, when the processing module receives the ignition signal, the flame detecting module detects for flames, whereas when the first light wave signal, the second light wave signal, or the third light wave signal is not received by the processing module, the processing module activates the air drafting device and the alarm device.

7. The gas stove with flame detection as recited in claim 6, wherein when the first light wave signal, the second light wave signal, or the third light wave signal is not received by the processing module, the processing module shuts off a gas supply valve.

8. The gas stove with flame detection as recited in claim 5, wherein the ultraviolet detecting unit generates a fourth light wave signal at wavelength ranging from 185 nm to 260 nm, when the processing module receives the ignition signal, the flame detecting module detects for flames, whereas when the first light wave signal, the second light wave signal, or the fourth light wave signal is not received by the processing module, the processing module activates the air drafting device and the alarm device.

9. The gas stove with flame detection as recited in claim 8, wherein when the first light wave signal, the second light wave signal, or the fourth light wave signal is not received by the processing module, the processing module shuts off a gas supply valve.

10. The gas stove with flame detection as recited in claim 1, wherein the alarm device includes at least one speaker and at least one light emitting unit.